Wood-distilling apparatus



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

' G. J. T. BURGEY; 9

WOOD DISTILLING APPARATUS.

No. 263,851. Patented Sept. 5,1882.

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3 Sheets-Sheet [3.

(No Model.)

' 0. J. T. BURGEY.

WOOD DISTILLING APPARATUS.

No. 263,851. Patented Septi5, 1882.

W/ VEEEEE- "128mm- UNITED STATES PATENT i OFFIGE.

CHARLES J. T. BURCEY, OF BIFGHAMTON, NEW YORK.

WOOD-DISTI L'LING APPARATUS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 263,851, dated September 5, 1882.

Application filed June 2, 1882.

paratus, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention consists in an improved method and means for charring wood and obtaining therefrom pyroligneous acid, preparin g said acid for distillation, and at the same time extracting therefrom and separating and utilizing the gases and accompanying acetic acid, all as hereinafter more fully described, and. specifically set forth in the claims.

In the annexed drawings, Figure 1 is a plan View of two sets of distilling apparatus facing each other, between which is a railway or supply track adapted to operate for the supply of either set, portions of said apparatus being shown in section to better illustrate the detail construction of same. Fig. 2 is partly an end viewand partly a vertical transverse section of the aforesaid apparatus. Fig. 3 is an end view of the movable platform mounted on the elevated railway and the hoisting apparatus on said platform. Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the wood-distilling apparatus, partly shown in section; Fig. 5, a plan view of the gas-chain her, and Fig. 6 is a top view of the retort detached.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts. i

A represents a fire-arch or furnace, from which extend in opposite directions horizontal tines B B, which terminate in two annular combustion-ch'ambers, O O. From each of these.combustion-chainbers radiate a series of fines, I), which communicate with two superstructed cylindrical chambers or ovens, E E.

In each of said ovens is arranged a removable retort, F, in the form of a cylindrical tank, built of boiler-iron or stout sheet-iron, and about eight feet four inches high by about five feet four inches in diameter. It is provided around the exterior of its upper portion with a rigid collar, 0, of proper width to engage the top edge of the oven E and support the retort in a suspended position in saidoven. Thetop of the retort F is provided with a removable at alternate ends.

(No model.)

cover, I, formed of two sheets, ofsheet-iron with a dead-air space between them to prevent radiation of heat from the retort, said cover being secured to the tank by bolts a a. (Best shown in Fig. 6 ofthe drawings.) Tiles 1) are interposed bet-ween the bottom of the retort and the flues -D to protect the former against excessive heat. The retort is somewhat smaller in diameter than the oven E, so as to form around the retort a passage for the products of combustion which enter said pas sage from the extremities of the fiues D D. An exit-flue, G,is extended from the upper portion of the oven E to another flue, U, which communicates with and supplies either partly or wholly the heat to the furnace of the steamboiler employed for furnishing the power and steam heat required in the operation of the apparatus, and in evaporating and distilling the pyroligneous acid. By meansot'a damper,

H, arranged iii-the exit-flue G the egress of the products of combustion from the oven E can be regulated or completely out off when desired. Thcpcover I of the'retort F is provided at its center with an opening, d, to which is applied a removable air-tight cap, a.

.K represents a watertank longitudinally, in which are arranged a series of horizontal pipes, L L, placed successively in lower planes and connecting with one another consecutively The uppermost pipe L communicates with a drum, M, by a pipe,f, and from said drum are extended two pipes,

N N, which reach to and are adapted to enter the opening (I of the covers of the two retorts F F, said pipes being hinged or provided with a suitable joint, so as to allow them to be either inserted in the aforesaid hole cl of the retortcover or swing outot' the way, for the purpose hereinafter explained.

To the lowermost pipe L in the water-tank Kis connected an outlet-pipe, O, which passes through the side of the tank K, and at some distance from the exterior thereof it has a-vertical deflection, O, forming a trap to prevent the ingress of air through said pipe. The extremity or discharge end of the pipe 0 communicates with a pipe, P, which is extended to a suitable apparatus for distilling the pyroligneous acid obtained from the retort F, as

hereinafter more fullydescribed, and con- IOO ducted through the pipes N, M,f,L, and O, to the pipe P.

From the top of the pipe 0, between the trap 0 thereof and the tank K, rise two pipes, Q Q, which meet in apipe, It, extended vertically therefrom. To the upper end of the latter is connected a lateral branch pipe, and from the end of this depends a short pipe, B, which communicates with a larger pipe, S. A valve, 9, connected to the pipe R, serves to control the communication between the pipes Q and S. The extremity of the pipe S enters the base of a chamber, T, termed gas-chamber, for the reason hereinafter explained, and to the mouth of the said pipe is connected a finely-perforated case or strainer, V.

W denotes a fan-blower, arranged to draw the gas through the pipe S from the point where it communicates with the pipes R It, and blow said gas through the strainer V into the gas-chamber T. Over the strainer V in the gas-chamberis arranged a concavo convex shield or deflectingplataX, with its concavity on the under side, and above said deflector are a series of wooden racks placed one above the other. These racks are covered with quicklime.

To the top of the gas-chamber is applied a removable cover, Z, rendered perfectly airtight by a water-joint formed of an annular sheet-metal band, h, of greater circumference than the exterior of the gas-chamber, and surrounding the upper portion thereof, the bottom edge of the band h being joined watertight to the gas-chamber, so as to form a watertrough around the same. The cover Z projects over thetop ofthe ga s-chamber, and has around its edge a downward-projecting flange, i, which enters the water-trough h, and is immersed in the water thereof, thus effectually excluding the air from underneath the cover. The bottom of the gas-chamber is inclined to one side, and at the lowest point thereof a pipe, 70, taps the gas-chamber, and isextended therefrom to a vat or suitable receptacle, 1. A usual downward deflection of the intermediate portion of the pipe K forms a trap to prevent ingress of air, and a stopcock, m, controls the egress of fluid.

From the upper portion of the interior of the gas-chamber T is extended a pipe, n, out through the side of said chamber and along the side of the top of the ovens E E, where it is tapped by branch pipes 0, which are extended to and communicate with the furnaces underneath said ovens, said pipes n and 0 conveying pure gas from the gas-chamber T to the aforesaid ovens, as hereinafter more fully explained, and being joined by air-ducts p, which serve to commingle air with the gas at its entrance into the furnaces of the ovens E E, and thus promote combustion of said gas, suitable valves or cocks being applied to the gaspipes and air-pipes to control the flow of gas and air.

g is a pipe, connected to the gas-pipe 0, and

provided with a stop-cock andasuitable burner, r. By opening said stop-cock andlighting the burner the factory can be supplied with light when required.

8 represents an elevated railway, arranged over the ovens E E at a sufiicient height to allow the retorts F to be lifted out of said ovens and carried along underneath said railway. This I accomplish by the following instrumentalities: Two series of ovens-E E, with their liereinbefore-described appliances, being arranged in two parcllcl rows or ranges, with the front of the furnaces facing each other, the

tended lengthwise the rows of ovens and respectively along the rear portion thereof. A platform, It, reaching across the two rows of ovens, is mounted on suitable wheels, by which it rides on the aforesaid elevated railway. The top of the platform t is provided with a track reaching from end to end thereof,.and upon this track is mounted a Windlass, w, or suitable hoisting apparatus, from which depends a tackle-block, provided with suitable means for hitching onto a bar, M, which is provided on its extremities with chains c,- which can be connected with ears 2 on the collar 0 of the retort. By means of the described hoisting mechanism and railway-tracks the retorts F can be raised out of the oven E and carried away from the same and lowered onto a suitable track, 10, mounted on a railway extended along the bottom of the space between the two rows of ovens.

The operation of the described apparatus is as follows: The'retorts F are lifted out ot'their respective ovens, their covers I removed, and

about one foot in length. Then the cover I is replaced and bolted down onto the retort which is then carriedin front of the oven, to which it pertains, by means of the track 20 on the lower railway. The hoisting apparatus 20 on the elevated movable platform t being placeddirectly over the retort on the track w, the pendent tackle-block of the hoisting apparatus, together with the cross-bar a and its chains 1), is lowered, the chains 1; hitched onto the ears of the collar 0 of the retort, and then the hoisting apparatus is set in motion to draw up the retort F. -When it has reached a proper height the hoisting apparatus is locked to retain the retort in its elevated position. Then the hoisting apparatus is moved along the track of the platform t until the retort is brought directly into the oven. The chains 21 of the cross-bar a are then detached from the retort and the said cross-bar moved out of the way to give access to the cap 0 of the retort, which cap is to be removed and the mouth of the pipe N to be inserted in the hole (Z in the cover of the retort and fitted air-tight therein. Two retorts are to be thus prepared and placed in two ovens E E, having in common one furnace A. Fire is then to be applied to said furnace two track-rails of the aforesaid railway are ex-" too the retorts filled with wood cut into blocks of IEO oven the oven E, when said retort is lowered and the ovens to be heated sufficiently to char the wood in the retorts F F, the products of combustion from the furnace passing through the flues O D and around the retorts in the ovens and thence through the exit-flue G to flue U, whichconveys said products of combustion to the fire-box of the boiler, (not shown in the drawings) which furnishes the requisite power for the operation of the fan W and such other parts of the apparatus as may be deemed expedient, and also furnishes the steam heatrequired for the subsequent treatment of the pyroligneous acid to obtain therefrom wood-alcohol and acetates, the apparatus for which is also omitted in the drawings, it being thesubject-matter of another invention, for wihch I am about to apply for Letters Patent. I

Duringthc process of charring the wood in the retorts F a vapor composed of pyroligneous acid and gas is generated in said retorts, from wvhich it escapes, through the pipes N to the drum M, and thence through the pipefaud se-' .ries of pipes, L L. The lattenbein g surrounded by cold water in the tank K, causes the pyroligneous acid to become condensed. The con: densed substance passes out through the pipes O and into the pipe 1?, which conducts said substance to suitable tanks or receptacles, in

which to allow it to settle preparatory for subsequent distillation. The gas which becomes separated from the liquid spirit by the aforesaid condensation rises in the pipes Q Q and R, and thence passes throughthe pipe B into the pipe S. This latterpipe conveys said gas to the gaschamber T, the fan W connected with said pipedrawing the gas from its described source and blowing it into the gaschamber aforesaid, and at the same time producing a vacuum in the retorts, and therei by relieving the same of the gases which tend to cool it, and thus facilitating the evaporation of theliquid contents of thewood in pro- 0 ass of charrin g. The gas, as it enters thechambert'l, becomes disseminated by its passage through the perforated case V and diffused by. the deflector X. In its ascent in the gaschamber T it encounters the beds of quicklime laid on the crates or racks Y. This lime serves to eliminate from the gas the alcohol and acetic acid with which it is saturated, the alcohol beingcondeused and precipitated tothe bottom of the gas-chamber T, from whence it is drawn off by the pipe 70, and collected in the recep tacle l. The acetic acid is absorbed by the lime, and when said lime is completely saturated with said acid, the influx of gas to the chamber is stopped, the coverZ removed, and

the trays y y emptied and recharged with fresh "lime, when the cover can be replaced, and the operation of purifying the gas renewed.

In order to avoid interruption of the operation of the apparatus I employ twogas-chainbers,T T, so that the flow of the gas from the pipe .8 may be diverted from one chamber T to the other chamber while the former is being emptied and refittedforuse. gas passes outthrough the pipe at, from which it is distributed, by the branch pipes 0, to the furnaces A of the ovens E to take the place of the fuel by which the initial heat was obtained. The air-pipes p, intersecting the gas-pipe or enteringthe furnace in proximity with said pipes, commingle sufficient air with the gas to produce perfect combustion.

So soon as the wood in one of the retorts is completely charred and all the vapor extracted therefrom the valve g of the pipe R is closed. The pipe N is then removed from the opening 61 in the top ofthe retort, and the cap eimmediately applied to said opening, so as to exclude the air until the charcoal is cooled. The valve or-damper H in the exit-flue G is then closed, and the influx of gas from the pipe 0 stopped to prevent as much as possible further circulation of heat. The retort is then raised out of the oven E, carried to one side, and lowered onto thetruck, which stands on the railway in front of the furnace A. By means of said truck the retort is carried away to be emptied and refilled. In the meantime another already filled and prepared retort is brought to the empty oven and introduced therein and set in operation. It is on this account I prel'er to employ two ovens side by side, and. a sufficient number of retorts to admitof taking them out and replacing them alternatelyin the two ovens, and thus maintain the apparatus in constant operation.

Having thus described myiinvention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1.. A wood charring and distilling apparatus consisting of an oven or chamber cornmw nicating with a furnace or heat-generator, a metal tank arranged in said oven and provided with a removable air-tight cover, an orifice in said cover, and a ventiduct or vapor-pipe, and a cap adapted to be interchangeably applied to the said orifice, substantially as and for the I purpose set forth.

2. A wood-distilling apparatus consisting of a furnace or heat-generator, an oven or chamber commuriicating therewith, an air-tight tank arranged in said oven and provided with The purified IIO an outlet for the vapor, a ventiduct, and a cap adapted to be interchangeablyapplied to said outlet, and a condenser connected with the oven, a vapor-duct communicating with the tank, a condenser connected with the ventiduct or its extensions, a pipe tapping the vapor-duct at or near its exitfrom the condenser,

a fan-blower arranged to exhaust the aforesaid pipe, and having its discharge communicating with acondensing and purifying chamber, substantially as described and shown.

4. The combination,with the ovens E E and retorts F F, of the furnace A, branch flues B B, combustion-chambersO O, and radial flues D D, substantially in the manner described and shown.

5. The combination, with the oven E,ot' the retorts F, provided with the sup )orting-collar e, and the cover I, provided with the orifice d, the removable cape, and the vapor-duct N, provided with a hinge, substantially as and for the purpose set forth and shown.

(3. Thecomhination,withtheretorts'FF,ofthe vapor-ducts N N, drum M, pipef, pipes L L L, arranged in different planes and communicating with each other successively at alternate ends, the water-tank K, and the discharge pipe 0, provided with the trap O, as shown and set forth.

7 In combination with the retort F, vapor- 1 duct N, drum M, pipes fL O, and condenser vided with an inclined bottom, the strainerV,

deflector X, lime-racks y, pipe-7c, tapping the base of the chamber and communicating with the receptacle l, the pipe n, extended from the upper portion of the chamber and having branch pipes 0 communicatingwith the furnace ot' the ovens E, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed mynaine and affixed my seal, in the presence of two attesting witnesses, at Syracuse, in the county of Onondago, in the State of New York, this 31st day of May, 1882.

CHARLES J. T. BURcnY'. Ls

Witnesses: I

(J. H. DUELL, WLLG. RAYMOND. 

